Collaboration with Gerry McGuire's!

Hello everyone! 

So, as you may have seen on my Facebook page, I am joining up with one of my favourite shops, Gerry McGuire's! I want to firstly state clearly that I have not been paid for this collaboration, I was invited to choose a pair of shoes to style; I wanted to get that out in the open! 

If anyone knows me they'll know of my love for Gerry's. It is a love passed on from my mum and has been instilled firmly in myself and my sisters! When the team contacted me to collaborate with them I was so excited, having shopped there for years. I buy all of my brogues there as they're amazing quality and last literally for years! I've also bought a few bags over the years, it's great to have a shop

like this in Ballina (in Sligo too) for when you save up your money for something special! 

So, I chose a pair of brogues - they have such a fab selection it was hard to choose! As you all know by now - sorry for mentioning it AGAIN- I haven't been shopping since before Christmas, I'm saving for a holiday wardrobe, so I had no new clothes to style but to be honest the brogues are so cool you could wear them with anything. They are also unbelievably comfortable and light on your feet. Before I show you the pictures I wanted to tell you about this Saturday in Gerry's Ballina! They are having a HUGE 20% off Friday(tomorrow) & Saturday in store AND online and I'll be in the store doing a social media takeover & generally chatting to everyone coming in! The stock they have in store is always amazing but ladies- the Marc Jacobs bags- I DIE. 

Ok, enough chatting here's the pictures!

 

These brogues are €125 I love them because they're so light, and they have a classic brogue design but with a modern trainer-like twist! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a selection of my faves in Gerry's at the moment- 

 

 

 

 

Chloe sunglasses! How fab?!

 

So that's it guys, I just want to say a HUGE thank you to Brendan, Gerry & the lovely ladies in Gerry McGuire's for getting in touch for this collaboration. 

I hope you like the brogues, I'd love to know your thoughts! And if you're around at the weekend in Ballina or Sligo definitely pop in and get 20% off! The sale is online also - go to www.gerrymcguires.ie 

I'd love to meet you also so call in from 11am in the Ballina store this Saturday! 

Snap me any purchases you get! 

In the meantime you can follow Gerry McGuire's on Facebook, Instagram & snapchat @gerrymcguires to see their fab stock & my takeover on Saturday! 

I'll be on my snap too @alongcamepollly (3 Ls you know the drill....)! 

Til debt do us part,

Elisha X 

Ten things I'm going to do when I'm finished my Masters.

As most of you know, (because I tend to slip it in to most conversations) I'm currently studying a Masters in Digital Marketing & Analytics in DIT. (I cannot recommend this course highly enough, I'll speak more in a seperate post.) I'll be qualified in December and while I'm enjoying the course and learning so much, I can't help miss the days before it was all I thought about.

So I decided to make a list, of the ten things I'm going to do when I'm finished. These will be largely based around Netflix. 

1) Take two days off and just lie on the couch in my pjs and watch Sabrina the Teenage Witch with zero guilt. 

2) Finish Breaking Bad. I'm only on season 4 so please don't be that person who ruins the end, thank you. 

3) Go for a midweek drink without having fear about not being in the library.

4) Read an article that I don't have to Harvard Reference. (Greham, E, 2016.) 

5) Carry a small handbag around because I won't need to bring my laptop & 'E-marketing Excellence' every where I go. 

6) Plan my year by exciting months, not by assignment due dates. 

7) No longer ask my parents for the 'business' section in the Sunday Times every week so I can prove how devoted I am to my studies. ( Thanks anyway, Mum.) 

8) Buy magazines instead of educational books on Amazon.

9) BE A REAL LIFE GROWN UP. (I can't believe this is actually going to happen.) 

10) Start watching One Tree Hill again from the start because, well, I can. 

It seems like a while off yet, but I'm slowly but surely getting there! Does anyone else have anything they want to add?! 

Til debt do us part, 

Elisha xo :) 

Balyage in Ruby Brown's & the KK hair treatment..

Hi guys! 

So, as most of you will have seen, I was invited in to Ruby Brown's Hair & Beauty Rooms on in Ballina on Saturday to have a hair transformation and try out the Olaplex treatment - yes the one Kim Kardashian uses!! To say I was excited is an understatement! I haven't dyed my hair in a salon since I had been to the girls in Ruby Brown's last year to get the copper colour, so it was in need of change and the girls are always so great to go in to. 

So I sat down with Gemma, owner and MD, and she talked me through the colours I could go for and helped me choose the perfect combination, I had no idea what to expect! Here is my before: 

I'd say I have about fifty colours in my hair & it was quite damaged. Gemma told me she was going to use the Olaplex treatment on my hair to strengthen it & protect it from damage after the blonde. In Ruby Brown's they are known for creating amazing Balyage hairstyles so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. Here is my after: 

It's a lot lighter in real life the camera doesn't pick it up great! I love it so much and it feels unbelievably soft after the Olaplex! 

So what exactly is Olaplex & how does it work? 

I've asked Gemma Brown from Ruby Brown's to explain exactly what it is:

"Here at Ruby Brown we love the Olaplex Treatment! We have been following its progress in the US for some time on social media and the unbelievable results celebrities like Kim Kardashian were getting, so we were thrilled to be one of the first Salons to get our hands on it here in Ireland and try it out for ourselves...

What is Olaplex? 

Olaplex basically is a bond multiplier meaning it will mend broken hair leaving it in better condition than it was before colouring or heat processes.

Even after BLEACHING your hair will be in better condition!

It works by reconnecting broken disulfide sulfur bonds in the hair. Hair bonds are broken during thermal, mechanical and chemical services.

Olaplex is free of silicone, sulfates, phthalates, DEA, aldehydes, gluten and is never tested on animals. 

Olaplex No. 2 Bond Perfector is not a conditioning treatment nor is it an activator or neutralizer. It uses the same active ingredient found in the Bond Multiplier No.1, however developed as a cream form for ease of application and use in the Olaplex System. This second step is necessary with all services for the best results. This is used to link the remaining disulfide bonds before and after service restoring the strength, structure and integrity of the hair.

the take home Olaplex:

No. 3 Hair Perfector: €42 @RubyBrowns

The client is to apply a generous amount to towel-dried hair, comb through and leave on for a minimum of 10 minutes or longer, then rinse, shampoo and condition. This is NOT a conditioning treatment to be left on the hair. The longer this is left on, the more effective it will be. This may be used more than once a week if necessary.

So in short the more you use and build up Olaplex the more your are mending it structure, great news especially for blondes...😉

Olaplex Salon Treatment cost €15-€25@Ruby Browns 

Call us on 096 70088 to book your appointment or to talk to one of our Stylists...xx"

And there you have it- I'll definitely be getting it done whenever I'm home my hair usually feels like straw and now it's so shiny and soft! 

I know this is a looooong post but I hope myself (&Gemma) have answered any questions you might have. 

At this point I want to say a HUGE thank you to Gemma & her amazing team for doing such a fantastic job on my hair, I absolutely love it so much, I feel like my hair has 'life' in it now! 

Til next time...

Elisha xo 

Ruby Wednesdays

Hello everyone! 

I've had a mad few weeks, from flying to Birmingham with work, to London the week after, and then plenty of college work , as well as actual work being crazy! I wanted to come on to first of all tell you about my very exciting weekend!!

After I posted videos on snapchat of me taking a scissors to my hair Ruby Brown's Hair & Beauty Salon reached out to me and invited me in to the salon this weekend! To say I'm excited is an understatement! I love Ruby Brown's, the girls always take the best care of me (and everyone else), from their amazing nail technicians, and make up artists & waxers & of course the amazing hair stylists. I haven't gotten my hair dyed in a year since I went red-copper with Ruby Brown's last year, here's a pic: 

I loved this style so much but I'm a very low maintenance girl - ( Daniel would say otherwise.....) so I went back to my roots & did an at home colour- sorry Gemma!!

I'm not sure what I'll do on Saturday, it won't be anything too drastic! 

The girls in Ruby Brown's are also doing an AMAZING giveaway for Beyoncé tickets, SoSu contour palette, a GHD, a Crown brush set, & a HD Brow set! Here is all the info: 

https://www.facebook.com/hairat.purity/posts/843610812433481

I also want to say in light of the recent controversy, this post or anything I ever write is NOT and will ever be paid for or sponsored!! I believe in supporting local businesses & giving credit where credit is due. 

If you want to follow my journey live on Saturday then I'll be reporting from my snapchat - Alongcamepollly!  I'm so excited be going home this weekend & voting Friday! 

Hope everyone is well on these cold morning! 

Til debt do us part, 

Elisha :) xo 

Hello....It's me...

Hello everyone,

I'm not even going to do my usual 'I can't believe I haven't written a blog post in so long' speech, I'm going to get straight in to it!

This post is pretty much rounding up what has been going on in my pretty hectic life in the past few months. You may or may not know, but I began a Masters in September in Digital Marketing & Analytics. I am absolutely loving the course 90% of the time, the other 10% I usually spend crying in to my laptop screaming WHY at excel- (can anyone actually work excel?!). The course is very tough, but our material and lecturers are second to none. In another blog post I can talk a little about the course if it's something you might be interested in?

Apart from the Masters, everything else in my life has remained pretty much the same. I'm still working away in the pharmacy and loving it, I'm still very much in love (too much?!) and I'm still broke three out the four weeks in every month. However, regular readers will be proud to hear that I have been budgeting and I managed to not buy ANY clothes or make up for the entire month of January. (Yes, you read that correctly.) I didn't even find it that hard, I have been putting most of my energy in to work and college that I haven't even missed it that much!

I don't really know where this post is meant to be going, I hadn't planned on even writing anything but I felt that I abandoned my blog and after all the work I put in to it when I first began, I couldn't just walk away from it. When I began blogging in 2013 I was living at home, I had gone through a tough break up and I needed to focus my energy on, well, me basically. It was one of the best things I have ever done, and the support I received from readers and businesses, especially from Ballina was and has been incredible. I have thought a lot about quitting the blog, it's pretty non existent the last year, and I think as I'm getting older, there's more of my life I want to keep private. I also felt like I was totally irrelevant, I wasn't living at home anymore and who really cares about my 6am starts and Dublin bus-ing? But, I miss the writing, I miss talking to people through it, and I miss actually feeling like I'm doing something else besides working and studying. So, if you'll have me, I'd like to wave my white flag and slowly return to writing. There will be some changes, I don't shop as much, and my style has changed quite a bit since you last followed me, mainly down to my early starts and the fear of not being employed when I graduate! I will talk about my life in as much detail as I can, college, skincare and make up of course,and the general goings on of my mind! 2016 is a year I'm very excited about, and I have some exciting things in the pipeline.

So, to end this rather long winded rant, I would like to say, I'm back, kind of, I'll just be wearing a little more black and a little less tiaras. (Tulle skirt is still a firm staple however.)


If there is anything you would like me to focus on in upcoming posts please get in touch.

Til debt do us part,

elisha xo

Turning 26...my birthday celebrations!

Good morning guys! 

Today is the day after the birthday and waking up 26 to be honest feels a little weird.. Yesterday I had the commotion of cake, presents and celebrations that I didn't have much time to actually think about it. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm

Not saying that 26 is old; I just don't know how I even got here! This year has been a whirlwind for me full of changes. I moved to Dublin, started a new job away from all my family and friends, I met someone who brings me unending happiness and im returning to college for a masters in September! 

Hopefully 26 will bring change and even more happiness! 

Enough rambling, here are some pictures of my day!

So firstly I got the best present off my family- you might have remembered me drooling over the Kenneth Cole Watch from Winters Jewellers in my last post? Well now it's MINE! I can't wear it until I get links removed but I love it so much! 

I then hopped on a bus after the Bonniconlon show down to Galway to spend the day with Daniel! 

You probably know at this stage that he got me a Nespresso for my birthday it's a gorgeous powder blue I love it! I've already drank 4 cups.. 

His Mum had banners all over the house and gave me a gorgeous gift- 

It was weird not being at home for my birthday but I was in my second home so I had such a lovely day!

Next up I got all dressed up for part 2 of Daniel's present- Afternoon Tea in the House Hotel Galway! I had considered going to the G but it's just a bit far out and I wanted to be close to town! I love the House Hotel it's so girly inside and the staff couldn't help us enough! 

Everything was so delicious! 

Now the most important thing- my outfit! 

So as a tradition I began myself I ALWAYS get dressed up on my birthday. It's the one day that it's all about you and know one can hate you for it so I really milk it! Last year I wore a green suit & changed to a tulle skirt that night. This year I raised the bar and went full Princess. Feck it. 

The tiara was bought on ASOS about 3 years ago, it's actually really nice if you wear it flatter down with your hair up! 

The Tulle Skirt was made by Jane & the ladies in the Ballina Costume Company, it's the skirt of my DREAMS! They can make them to order just contact them!

The bag is old ASOS, shoes are old Zara,  sequin cape us Penneys from about 7 years ago- I've looked after it very well! And the tshirt I picked up in h&m! 

I finished the day off with Prosecco & a movie as the weather was too horrible to go out in! 

Anyone turning 26 and freaking out- don't worry! Age really is just a number all that matters is being surrounded by people who make you happy, and maybe the odd finger click diva moment for more Prosecco.. It's allowed on your birthday! 

Til debt do us part,

Elisha xo 

^^^ yes, my name isn't actually Polly! 

My Visit to Winters Jewellers!

Good afternoon guys! 

So last week I had the absolute pleasure of being invited in to Winters Jewllers (The Hazel) in my hometown in Ballina. I was contacted by the very lovely Shauna and I suggested I do a Facebook takeover and take lots of pictures!

Winters Jewellers was established in 1936 so it stands as one of the oldest businesses in Ballina. When I went in I was given the greeting a queen would be given! I quickly started seeing a million things I wanted! They have such a beautiful selection of watches, diamonds, gold, silver, rose gold and costume jewellery, I was blown away by all of the pieces! 

I cannot say enough how kind Joe, William and Shauna are- not just to me but also to the constant flow of customers who enter their store. It's no wonder the business has been so successful for so many years. 

I quickly started trying on lots of jewellery, and my favourite collections have to be the My iMenso collection, Cristallo, and the Kenneth Cole watches. Everything is so well priced with something to suit any budget whether it's a pick me up for an investment piece. 

My sister Amber has wanted one of these watches for years and I can see why- I love the different styles and I love the large faces. I have a Daniel Wellington watch because I love how masculine it is, and that is exactly why I love these watches! 

This is a personal favourite of mine, this is €149. 

Caravelle Watches are also quite simpilar in style, this was one of my favourites:

Another collection which completely blew me away was the Knight and Day range which I particularly love because they are made in Westport so it's supporting the West! 

The Cristallo collection is the perfect range for any girl! Prices start at €29. I literally wanted EVERYTHING in this cabinet....

Next up I tried on.....

ENGAGEMENT RINGS! 

(Queue smug humming) 

(Look away now Daniel..) 

My hand looks so fat here haha! But this ring had an 18 carat gold band and 3 x 1.5 carat diamonds...it is the ring of my dreams! I really really didn't want to take this off! 

The staff in Winters specialise in the best quality diamonds and they offer after hour private appointments so you can choose your most special piece of jewellery in private! 

They have a huge selection of men's watches also, 

I love the vintage looking brown leather straps which are so timeless! 

Last but not least.. Before I left I was given the most incredible gift! 

I was embarrassed to accept it- Joe, William and Shauna gave me my very own My iMenso necklace and coin! I have wanted one of these for so long I am so delighted! I went for a beautiful rose gold chain and diamond coin. My iMenso were actually the first people to have the necklace and coin idea, and the quality is much more durable than others on the market. I have worn it every day since last Saturday and I have gotten compliments every time I wear it! 

It's the perfect piece to wear everyday, I love it too much to keep for special occasions. The range comes in silver, gold, and rose gold with lots of different coins and sizes. 

The back of it- 

I just want to say the biggest thank you to Joe, William and Shauna for inviting me in to their store and being so kind. If you need to pick up a Present or even a little treat I cannot recommend them highly enough. Everyone who left the store that day left a lot happier because of the kindness shown to them. 

They are situated in Ballina (the best place in the world) on Tone street, they are on Facebook also, and their number is 096-21898. 

This is why I love Ballina so much. I am liking living in Dublin but it will never give me the same feeling I have when I'm at home. I am fiercely proud of being from Ballina and Mayo, and on the days I think of packing the blog in I get an email from people like this who make me realise why I love doing this! 

Thank you so much to Winters for having me- I'll be back to expand my coin collection & maybe to buy that ring...

JIBE 

(Kind of...) 

Til debt do us part, 

Elisha :) xo